It's hard to believe the Boston Red Sox have been given permission to speak directly with Alex Rodriguez before a tentative trade has been agreed upon with the Texas Rangers.

As a matter of fact, it's a wonder some team owners aren't knocking down Bud Selig's door, accusing the commissioner of preferential treatment. (Related story: A-Rod expects to return to Texas in 2004)

Let's not forget, it was less than two years ago — in January of 2002 — that the commissioner was accused of giving John Henry and his ownership group preferential treatment when its bid of $700 million for the franchise was accepted over higher offers from New York lawyer Miles Prentice ($755 million) and Cablevision chairman Charles Dolan ($750 million).

But these are the scary economics of baseball now, where governing policies that used to be carved in granite are outdated.

Bob DuPuy, Major League Baseball president, cites the size and complexity of current players contracts and the size of team payrolls and debt structure as MLB's reason for allowing this extraordinary scenario. (Normally, a tentative deal must be in place before MLB grants a window for negotiations.)

"To determine whether a potential transaction is in everyone's mutual interest has become more common," DuPuy said Thursday in a telephone interview. "Frankly, the world (of baseball) is a complicated place right now."

The Red Sox, the most aggressive — and arguably most improved — team in the majors this winter, are trying to deal outfielder Manny Ramirez to the Rangers for Rodriguez, who has a burning desire to play for Henry and Boston.

But the deal isn't imminent.

Rodriguez agreed in December of 2000 to a record 10-year, $252 million contract with owner Tom Hicks and the Rangers. On that same day, the Red Sox signed Ramirez to an eight-year deal worth $160 million.

The Red Sox and Ramirez each want to end the relationship, so much so that the team asked waivers on him after the World Series. There were no takers.

For the deal with the Rangers to work, the remaining seven years of Rodriguez's contract must be re-worked with deferments. Texas is also asking for pitching and wants the Red Sox to pay some of the remaining money due Ramirez.

Another World

From a marketing standpoint, MLB would love to see the 2003 American League MVP playing in a major market, with a team that has a legitimate chance to go to the World Series.

Had it not been for manager Grady Little staying too long with a tiring Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, the Red Sox could have been in this year's World Series.

That excruciating loss has made Henry even more determined to beat the Yankees — in the wheeling and dealing battle this winter and on the field next summer.

"That certainly has been a driving force," Henry said Thursday in a telephone interview. "Late that night (after the Yankees won), I wondered how much more Red Sox fans can take. New Englanders are incredibly hardy, steadfast and have been even more eager for the start of spring training this year than maybe ever before."

Pausing, he added: "Some of that is driven by what's happened during the offseason but also the feeling that we should have gone to the World Series last year."

It was one day about a year ago when Henry, while visiting the Dominican Republic, received an unexpected and unsolicited call from Rodriguez. The player suggested the two might have lunch some day and discuss generic player-owner issues. It never happened.

But in November, Henry was contacted by Hicks who proposed a Rodriguez-for-Nomar Garciaparra trade. The Red Sox didn't want to deal Garciaparra but offered Ramirez instead.

At first, Hicks wasn't interested, but he later called Henry to suggest the Boston owner meet with Rodriguez and discuss restructuring the mammoth contract.

Permission was obtained from the commissioner's office. Rodriguez, his wife Cynthia, and Henry lunched at a Boca Raton, Fla., restaurant in mid-November.

But a funny thing happened. There was no discussion of economics. And there has been no meeting since.

As stated, nothing is imminent. My guess is the deal is a long shot.

In fact, Rangers general manager John Hart said he "envisions Rodriguez staying with the Rangers. We've been saying all along this thing has taken on a life of its own and has been a runaway fire."

Henry won't predict what's going to happen.

About the only thing certain is A-Rod would like to play for the Red Sox.